East Dunbartonshire geodiversity audit: 1 Introduction

The British Geological Survey (BGS) was commissioned by East Dunbartonshire Council (EDC) to carry out a review of sites of geological and geomorphological significance within the local authority area. The study has taken the form of a geodiversity audit to assist in future planning, development and conservation issues.

This work was undertaken during Spring 2009 and combined a desk-top review of published literature and records with new information collected from field visits carried out during March and April 2009. This report describes, illustrates and scores 36 sites in East Dunbartonshire of which 34 are recommended as Local Geodiversity Sites and together represent the geological diversity of the area.

In addition to this report the study has produced a GIS database containing key spatial and attribute information relating to each site, which has been provided to EDC.

1.1 Background

In its recent Local Plan, EDC identified a number of strategic aims for all services. One of these is enhancement of the quality of life and protection of the local environment. More specifically, the Council is dedicated to furthering the cause of geodiversity by protecting landscape features, in particular those geological features that are designated as Local Geodiversity Sites (formerly termed Regionally Important Geological and Geomorphological Sites or RIGS) and those protected in East Dunbartonshire's Greenspace Strategy.

Nationally designated sites such as SSSIs protect only a limited part of the area's geodiversity. With the aid of Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), EDC wish to evaluate their Local Nature Conservation Sites (LNCS). These are non-statutory sites selected for their local geodiversity (LGS) or biodiversity and ecological importance (LBS or formerly SINCs). EDC also wish to explore the potential for enhancing the quality and quantity of their geological sites, particularly those of educational value. A survey of these sites will assist EDC with writing Local Plan 2 and form the basis of a Local Geodiversity Action Plan (LGAP).

1.2 Aims and objectives

The principal aim of the study is to identify a network of key sites across East Dunbartonshire, supported by formal assessment, which represent the diverse geology and geomorphology of the area.

To achieve these aims, the objectives of the study are as follows:

1. Undertake a review of existing sites of geological/geomorphological significance.
2. Identify additional sites to ensure as full a representation as practical of the geology and geomorphology in the area with a good geographical spread.
3. Recommend site boundaries and where appropriate make suggestions for the future management of the site, following assessment of the current site condition.
4. Establish the geodiversity value for each site, based on a series of criteria including scientific, educational, cultural and community merits.
5. Use assessment criteria suitable for repeatable, consistent valuation of the sites.
6. Provide information that will enable the integration of geology with the area's landscape, biodiversity, cultural and economic heritage.
7. Identify key geological sites which may be appropriate for conservation and/or enhancement with respect to education and public enjoyment.

1.3 Methodology

Three key stages:

1. Inception and desktop study (review of published literature and BGS archive records; identification of potential sites from various sources). See (Table 2) for list of potential sites.
2. Field-based study (assessment of potential sites to identify key representative localities; documentation/recording of principal features of geological/geomorphological significance).
3. Analysis, recommendations and reporting.

1.4 Structure of the report

Following the background and introduction to the study in chapter 1, chapter 2 describes the geology present in East Dunbartonshire, summarising the underlying bedrock (solid) geology and the overlying Quaternary (superficial) deposits. This information is based on the published geological maps of the area; BGS map sheets 30E (Glasgow) and 31W (Airdrie). Chapter 3 describes how the local geodiversity sites were selected and evaluated, the methodology for collection of the field data, and information on the scoring system used.

Chapter 4 provides detailed site assessments for each of the 35 individual sites visited, and forms the main part of the report. The information is presented as a set of pro-forma sheets containing information including:

• Location and general information
• Location map
• Summary description
• Access and safety
• Culture, heritage and economic
• Geoscientific merit
• Current site value
• Geodiversity value

Chapter 5 summarises information about the sites in two tables: (Table 7) brings together the scores given for Geoscientific merit, Community Value, Education Value and Cultural/Heritage/ Economic Value for each site. Added together these give a total score upon which an ultimate Geodiversity Value is based. (Table 8) highlights which geological units and features are visible at each site.

The appendices include a representative collection of photographs with descriptive captions illustrating and explaining the main geological features present at each site (Appendix 1). Other appendices contain typical descriptions of the different geological rock units which underlie East Dunbartonshire (Appendix 2); the SIGMA (System for Integrated Geoscience MApping) Mobile system used to digitally record data in the field (Appendix 3).

1.5 What is geodiversity?

Geodiversity has many definitions, but essentially describes the variety of rocks, minerals and fossils, landforms and landscapes, active geological processes and soils and subsoils (Quaternary deposits) of an area. It links people, places, rocks, soils, landforms, landscape and ecosystems, and the past through the present to the future.

All these elements interlink and together determine not only the character of our natural environment and where the range of local wildlife habitats have formed, but have influenced, for example, where mineral workings have taken place and the history of settlement in the area. Geology, as the foundations of our landscape, influences and links much of an area's local 'character'.

1.6 Why conserve geological features

Considering the impact of geology on our local landscapes and heritage, few geological and landscape features in Scotland have any protection other than those designated as SSSIs. Geodiversity is an important environmental asset but is one of the least recognised and appreciated.

The geodiversity of an area is vulnerable to a wide range of threats, quarries can be infilled, natural overgrowing by vegetation can completely obscure an exposure, features within an urban environment may be built over.

The general public, Local Authorities, industries and schools have for many years been made aware of the importance of conserving archaeological and wildlife sites for future generations; it equally important that geodiversity sites are understood, protected and explained to others.

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